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Three headed for Sault's hockey hall

Three former NHLers will soon be inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Hockey Hall of Fame.

In a prepared statement Thursday, the Hockey Hall of Fame Committee named goaltender Marty Turco as a 2014 inductee and forwards Denny Lambert and Chris Simon as 2015 inductees.

“These individuals have contributed greatly to the sport of hockey in the Sault Ste. Marie community,” the statement noted. “Official induction ceremonies will be held at a later date, based on the availability of the inductees.”

The 40-year-old Turco spent 11 seasons in the NHL, nine of which were as a member of the Dallas Stars.

During the 2002-2003 season, Turco's goals against average of 1.72 set a modern-day NHL record. However, Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff broke Turco's record with a 1.69 the following season.

Twice in his career, Turco won the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award for having the league's top saves percentage.

He finished his career with a goals against average of 2.36 and a saves percentage of .910.

Lambert, who was born in Wawa, spent three seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's Soo Greyhounds, winning a league championship in 1990-91.

Lambert then went on to play eight seasons in the NHL for Anaheim, Ottawa, Nashville and Atlanta.

A gritty winger, he finished with 27 goals and 66 assists in 487 NHL games.

Now 46, Lambert also served as both an assistant coach and head coach with the Greyhounds.

The 44-year-old Simon was also born in Wawa and spent time with the Hounds.

He joined the team during the 1991-92 season and helped the Soo win its second straight league championship.

Simon, considered one of the league's elite pugilists, played 15 NHL seasons for Quebec, Colorado, Washington, Chicago, Calgary, Minnesota, the New York Rangers and New York Islanders.